AROUND THE NBA

RUN 'N' GUN: When Paul Westhead coached Loyola Marymount, his team was known for setting NCAA scoring records. Now his Denver Nuggets are becoming renowned for records set by opponents.

A perfect example was the Nuggets' 194-166 exhibition loss to the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday in Pueblo, Colo.

The 194 points are believed to be the most ever scored in an NBA game, preseason or regular season. Atlanta's 116 points in the second half -- 64 in the fourth quarter -- marked the first time an NBA team scored more than 100 in a half.

The Hawks' rout followed losses to Phoenix, 186-123, and to Houston, 156-126. The Suns' 186 points matched the NBA record for points in a regular season game, set by the Detroit Pistons in a 186-184, triple-overtime victory over Denver in 1983.

MORE BUCKS: The Trail Blazers extended the contract of Buck Williams. Terms were not revealed, but the one-year extension is believed to include a substantial raise over his $1 million salary.